Except for one or two features I was disappointed with the show of running on Saturday.
Though the conditions laid down by the British Olympic Council were absurdly stringent, and made it obvious that only the merest novices would be competing, still one expected that a race having a dignified title of a 5,000 Metres Olympic Novice Trial Race, with three handsome medals offered (gold, silver, and bronze), as well as three silver medals for the winning team, and run under the auspices of the West Lancs. Cross-Country Association, would have brought out a better field.
Twenty-four runners competed, representing six teams:- Wallasey H. and A.C. (2), Sefton, Sacred Heart (St. Helens), Runcorn, and Ravenhead (St. Helens). Amongst the officials were Alderman Dawson, Councillor Ashmole, Mr. T. Abraham (vice-president of the Amateur Athletic Association), and a member of the British Olympic Council. The course of five laps, starting from Thorndale Farm, was mainly grass land, with a little road, each lap slightly under one mile.
Shortly after 3.30 Alderman Dawson, who officiated as starter, got the pack very well away. At the end of the first lap R. McDonough (Wallasey) was leading, closely followed by Burns (Sefton), Prescot (Ravenhead), and W. Brockley (Runcorn).
The second time round McDonough was still leading, though not running quite so easily. Burns, who was right on his shoulder, looked much more comfortable. The field had now lengthened out very much. Wallasey A team were in the first position with Runcorn a good second. During the third lap, however, McDonough retired with a stitch. This was I believe, only his third run over the country. He is a well-known local walker, being one of the stalwarts of the new walking section of the W.H. And A.C.
He looks a typical runner, but prefers the sister sport, at which he has had much more success. At his retirement Wallasey dropped from first to third position. Burns took the individual lead. Though several attempts were made to pull him down, they did not succeed, the Sefton Harrier eventually winning comfortably. He has a very nice action, and as he is only 17 years old should turn out a really good runner. Brockley,
who finished second, and Prescott, who took third place, also ran well. Runcorn easily took the team honours. The following were the placings: Runcorn 16 points, Sefton 17, Wallasey 22.
The dinner held by Wallasey Harriers to celebrate the winning of the Liverpool District Senior Championship was a great success. Alderman Dawson anecdotes of his running days were delightful, and his generous offer to pay the expenses of any Wallasey Harrier who might be chosen to go to the next Olympic Games in 1916 shows that he is still keenly interested in the sport at which he shone so brilliantly in his younger days. It should prove a great incentive to local athletes.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 04/04/1914 by AGILITY
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